Improv Dance Pilates Lessons Newark NJ

Local resource for improv dance pilates lessons in Newark, NJ. Includes detailed information on local businesses that provide access to improv dance pilates lessons, pilates lessons, yoga classes, and improvisational dance studios, as well as advice and content on health and fitness, pilates, yoga, and improve dance.

Using Dance Improv and Pilates to Integrate Body and Mind

By Pat Guyton

The longer I teach Pilates, the deeper I wish to journey into the principles Joe Pilates describes in his writings. I strive to allow the body and the mind to each have an equal opportunity of expression. Joseph Pilates wrote in Your Health , “neither the mind nor the body is supreme—one cannot be subordinated to the other. Both must be coordinated, in order not only to accomplish the maximum results with the minimum expenditure of mental and physical energy, but also to live as long as possible in normal health and enjoy the benefits of a useful and happy life.” (page 41)

In an effort to promote this harmony between mind and body I have been integrating the practice of dance improvisation at the end of some of my classes. I studied improv as a dancer for over a decade before I began teaching Pilates, and 11 years ago it occurred to me that my students might benefit from the practice, too.

Read on to learn why and how I introduced improve to my students—and how they responded.

The intention of this practice is the joy of discovery. The value is not based on virtuosity, but on authentic exploration of movement that is Pilates directed. In a class, many students are so focused on their limitations of performance within Pilates exercises that those with compulsive minds may leave with feelings of failure and self-judgment.

In improvisation, we learned to release the thought of the technique, to seek the freedom of exploring our own movement from feeling. We also learned to let go of any preconceived thoughts—we weren’t allowed to “plan” what we would do next. Of course, switching gears in a Pilates class—transitioning from following clear and concise instruction to utter freedom of movement—can be a bit intimidating and overwhelming.

To bring this to my students, I tried to create a supportive environment in the studio. Before delving fully into a practice like this, it may be worthwhile to warm your students to the idea by asking them to improvise for 30 to 60 seconds, or asking them to close their eyes during the first few times they begin to explore movement, hopefully eliminating any self-consciousness.

Once my students seemed ready to give it a shot, I began to experiment with adding 5 to 10 minutes of improvisation at the end of my 1-hour classes. Finding inspiration proved easy: each class was focused on one of the movement principles so I simply gave improvisation directions and suggestions inspired by the principle highlighted that day.

Keep in mind that improvisation for dancers will look like dance. Improvisation for Pilates students will look very introspective. It is not performance directed. The students will explore at different rates and within their own personal comfort zones. For example, if the theme for a class focused on how the arm and shoulder relate to exercises within the mat sequence, the suggestion for exploration during the imp...

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